Tonight's game is critical, if you believe a higher draft spot guarantees the Oilers a better player, because a win puts the Oilers within four points of the Islanders, while a loss puts them eight points back.

Let the race begin.

The Oilers are 6-2-2 in their last ten games, with only Minnesota and Philadelphia picking up more points during that stretch. They've been out shot in 9 of those games, and were tied in the other one, a 3-0 loss to Minnesota.

Ben Scrivens and Ilya Bryzgalov have been exceptional in goal, and during the two regulation losses the Oilers were shutout out both times. They are winning due to goaltending which hasn't happened regularly in quite some time.

The offence has only scored 10 goals in the last seven games, and their top-six forwards need to play better.

Hall, Eberle, Perron and Yakupov have one goal each over the last seven games, while Nugent-Hopkins and Gagner have none. These six need to start producing goals.

LINEUP

I like the decision to play Gagner with Hall. The Oilers need Gagner to play well down the stretch for various reasons. If they don't trade him they him need to regain some confidence, and if MacTavish is looking to move him then he needs 89 to play much better. It will be difficult to trade him for anything of value if he keeps struggling, so play him with Hall the rest of the year and hope he gets going.

I thought they might start Fasth. Usually coaches play players against their former team, and with the Kings coming in on Sunday I thought Scrivens would play then, but Eakins said he told Fasth to prepare that he is playing Sunday.

Fasth's last NHL game was November 18th. He missed 37 games with a muscle inflammation/lower body issue, but he did play four games in the AHL in February and told me on Tuesday that he is 100% healthy and ready to play.

It is hard to argue against playing Scrivens because he has been outstanding, so it does make sense to stick with the hot goalie.

Fasth is looking forward to battling for the starting job. "It is good to have two goalies competing for the job. I think it helps a team to have two guys who want to start and are capable of it," he told me Tuesday.

I love his attitude. This team needs more competition. The second line should be competing with the first line for PP and ES time. Same thing on the blueline, and it would refreshing if Fasth's attitude towards competition was embraced by all the players and the organization.

The management, coaching and the players have to show they don't accept losing. It is easy to say you don't, but actions speak louder than words and it is time that everyone in the franchise displayed a winning attitude.

QUICK HITS...

The NHL's decision to lower the Devil's punishment regarding cap circumvention looks awful. Did Lou Lamoriello think this was possible at the 2012 draft, when he elected to keep the 29th overall pick instead of forfeiting it? Maybe, but today that decision still looks foolish. Currently the Devils own the 11th overall pick, and depending how the final 19 games unfold they could forfeit a top-ten pick.

Hemsky played junior in Hull, just outside Ottawa, but I don't think that will be enough of a reason for him to not test free agency. This year's crop of free agents forwards isn't very deep, so he could fetch a good contract in July.

I wrote above that yesterday was the playoff roster deadline and not the trade deadline. NHL teams can still make trades today, but the players traded aren't eligible for the postseason. If the Oilers and Sabres wanted to make a trade today or next week they could.

I don't understand why the NHL only allows four callups from now until the end of the season. The lottery eliminates teams from guaranteeing themselves the first overall pick, but even if they put in a rule that said you could only have three call ups on an NHL roster at one time, baring injury, after the deadline would make more sense.

The Oilers would like to see Anton Lander, Tyler Pitlick, Taylor Fedun, Oscar Klefbom and maybe even Marc Arcobello, but based on the rules only three of them can be recalled, unless the Oilers get into serious injury troubles. (If I read CBA correctly, I think Larsen counts as one -- can anyone confirm? -- which leaves only three recalls left.) If there are only three recalls remaining, then Klefbom, Lander and Pitlick would be the three I'd want to see.

Playing one or two NHL games can be a great learning tool for young players. It gives them a taste of the league, but more importantly they can find out how challenging the league is and what they need to work on in the off season. Players always tell themselves what they need to work on, but when they actually get to play in a game, they have a better sense of how hard it actually is and what they need to improve on to stay in the NHL.

The goalie situation in Calgary, Vancouver and Edmonton is very even. Today the Oilers' goalies have 79 career NHL starts, the Flames' duo has 68 career starts while the Canucks tandem has started 59 NHL games.

Out of those six goalies: Scrivens (51), Fasth (28), Ramo (66), Ortio (2),Markstrom (38) and Lack (21) which one do you think emerges as the best goalie?

The Edmonton Oilers need to change their practice habits. Earlier this year Ladislav Smid said he was surprised at how intense the Flames' practices were. Today, after his first practice in Minnesota, Ilya Brzygalov said Minnesota's practices have "a way faster pace." Compile that with Barry Trotz ripping Devan Dubynk's techniques, and Ken Hitchcock saying Magnus Paajarvi needed to learn the game, I'd say this is an organizational issue. Paajarvi, Dubnyk and Smid were all here before Eakins, so the lack of intense practices and attention to detail has been an issue this year and in previous seasons.

The Oilers, specifically MacTavish and Eakins, need to listen to these comments from former players, take them to heart and improve the situation. If they don't improve how they practice, it will be hard to improve on game day.

TONIGHT...

GAME DAY PREDICTION: Both of these teams would love to eventually jump into the big boys fish bowl and compete for the playoffs, and tonight the Oilers show they are at least closer to getting there than the Islanders with a 6-1 victory (they have to score at some point).

OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: ~The Islanders won't be very competitive.~ Tavares is injured while Vanek and McDonald were traded in the past 48 hours. That is three of their top-six scorers.

NOT-SO-OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: The Oilers sell out streak ends tonight. Of all the remaining home games none are less attractive to hockey fans than tonight. The surprise is that the Oilers announce that it isn't a sell out.

One of Canada's most versatile sports personalities. Jason hosts The Jason Gregor Show, weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., on TSN 1260, and he writes a column every Monday in the Edmonton Journal. You can follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JasonGregor

I love Gregor's comment that "...the Islanders won't be very competitive. Tavares is injured while Vanek and MacDonald were traded...".

Actually, Gregor, as the saying goes, hard work beats skill when skill doesn't work hard. Although after a few seasons of this bilge, I am wondering about the actual skill level here.

All I know is that for most pro hockey players, a game in the NHL is a rare privilege, and there seem to be more than a few Islanders tonight playing with the attitude that this might be their only chance at the big leagues.

On the other hand, with the attitude fostered here, these entitled, sulky young adults (they aren't kids anymore) wearing Oiler colours, look as if we the fans are lucky to be watching them break a sweat.

Every time I think we've hit bottom, they open a trap door.

I could be wrong, but doesn't the ~ mean sarcasm.

I'm hoping it was meant as a joke…kind of like this organization.

Has it ever been this bad? I'm sure it felt like it in 2010 and 2011 and 2012, but this is pathetic.

Again, I've said this so many times but somehow someone still like to use "consistency" as an excuse for NOT firing a coach. So for one more time: just because we need some consistency at coaching position doesn't mean that we have to settle for BAD consistency. No one can trade the entire roster away (maybe Gillis can, still...) so it will be coach's job to bring out the best of the players. Eakins has only brought out the worst of the players, he points all fault on EVERYONE ELSE including FANS! How can you entrust someone who cannot shoulder any responsibility to lead? Not for once that he has ever admit the coaching errors which happened so many times throughout the season. You are drinking too much of Eakins' cool-aid, he is the reason why we suck so much this season. Just because Oilers have a little run for 7-2-2 which should be how this team suppose to be. In case that you missed it, we are still floating around basement of the league. That little run only prevent Oilers for being the worst team in the league again!

Fire Eakins! Fire Eakins! Fire Eakins!

seriously stop posting.

did you even watch the game or were you on your computer the whole time?

The team is finally starting to buy in and you want to fire the coach? You must really want McDavid.

I don't think you really understand hockey. This team has not had a real NHL coach since Mac-Tavish, and they haven't had a real GM since I don't know. Now they have both and if you can't see the changes you really aren't looking very hard.

If the Larsen recall does indeed count against our total for the rest of the season then why did we waste it on Larsen? I would have much rather seen Fedun than Larsen at this point.

These comments on our practice habits are deeply disturbing. We can talk about our lack of grit or our terrible blueline but if you look around the league, there are teams with worse looking rosters than ours. Difference is what they do with what they have and our constant underachieving. We should not be second last in the league but we haven't earned anything better.

Interesting about the four recalls, not including injuries. Best to use them as part of the development process, and perhaps Larsen has improved enough of late to deserve the shot?

Habits comments definitely interesting. Whether from poor development, abilities or actual reality eventually got to say that "what you see is what we are" (someone else's quote I heard a while back...). Teams on paper are one thing, teams on ice often something altogether different. That's why they p[lay the games.

Anyone here attend Oil Kings games? Would you have any insight as to why Broissoit who led the Oil Kings to the Memorial Cup was drafted in the 6th Round whereas Tristan Jarry was drafted in the 2nd Round? Is Jarry really that much better?

did you even watch the game or were you on your computer the whole time?

The team is finally starting to buy in and you want to fire the coach? You must really want McDavid.

I don't think you really understand hockey. This team has not had a real NHL coach since Mac-Tavish, and they haven't had a real GM since I don't know. Now they have both and if you can't see the changes you really aren't looking very hard.

Take a deep breath, everything will be ok. This team will get better

There's no buy in. You could watch the games or look at the underlying stats and realize there lifeless and get outplayed. Last night they never started playing till 5 mins left in the 2nd. You can not honestly believe their bought in with the lifeless play, and continued follies on the pp.

Goaltending is the great equilizer. Ben and Bryz are responsible for this last 10 games. The beat a brutal NY team missing Tavaras, McDonald and Vanek. They got outworked most of the game, and almost coughed up the win except for a great save by Scrivens.

Could one of the ON staff writers please write an article on the merits of bringing up Arcobello to replace Sam Gagner.

Can we get a ON petition or something ?

The article I want is a Willis breakdown of Yak's games lately. I don't know what's going on with him but the last two games he would have been better off stapled to the bench. I really hope he's just working through a bad flu or something. For that matter, I think Eberle has had the same flu for several months now.

Unfortunately we need a good draft choice this year if we ever plan on being competive with Colorado. McKinnon is a real beast and will only get better. They have been able to draft more domiant players with their recent drafts and I'm not sure we will ever be able to beat them out if we were to reach a conference final. They are definately the team of the future. They look very well positioned to be dominant in two or three years. The Oilers on the other hand look to very far away from just making the playoff, more over making a conference final.
Colorado really scares me.

"Currently the Devils own the 11th overall pick, and depending how the final 19 games unfold they could forfeit a top-ten pick." - They ended up getting the 30th overall pick in the draft...not a top ten pick.

I would have to guess that they were able to recall Larsen without it counting against those 4 they are limited to, probably since Schultz was traded and he was the most recent dman replacement sent down. Since Larsen was just put on waivers I don't see him being the first call up unless he was the exception to the rule.

Pitlick, Lander and Klefbom are the players i most want to see called up to see what they can do.

Current core players are not bad players. Hall, RNH, Eberle and Yaks are not bad players. They are all very talented but also very raw. They need proper guidance to reach their potential and be the players they can be. That's why you don't hire rookie coach to guide roockie players. Someone in there has to have a clue on what they are doing.

Would agree, some excellent raw talent but very questionably developed, not having a team with the right atmosphere/veteran players to provide a good example/shelter. Multiple coaches doesn't help, just part of the merry-go-round.

Although I think yesterday's purging for draft picks may be helpful down the road, you've got to scratch your head on why Edmonton's so set on dumping vets with no replacements. Just leads to bestowing spot to kids and a sense of entitlement rather than forcing new kids to beat out vets and earn their spots. Seems backwards.

Hard to believe but I think the Oilers just got worse yesterday... guess we'll see...

4 shots on net at home, and the coaches adjust what? Man I actually miss the MacBlender. Where the hel[ are the guys from OKC? Who cares about AHL playoff crap, get some fresh blood in here and put a little fear into some of these guys here, not to mention add a little pressure to Eakins.

There's no buy in. You could watch the games or look at the underlying stats and realize there lifeless and get outplayed. Last night they never started playing till 5 mins left in the 2nd. You can not honestly believe their bought in with the lifeless play, and continued follies on the pp.

Goaltending is the great equilizer. Ben and Bryz are responsible for this last 10 games. The beat a brutal NY team missing Tavaras, McDonald and Vanek. They got outworked most of the game, and almost coughed up the win except for a great save by Scrivens.

Great point, "they got outworked most of the game". That is why this team will not succeed as soon as they could, they get outworked. The Flames outworked them last Saturday, they are a lazy team and that is not on the coaches. Scotty Bowman could coach this team, if they don't work, they will lose regardless of the game plan. Stop blaming Eakins, until they realize the hard work it takes to win games consistently they won't and I have to believe that comes with age and maturity.

I remember earlier in the season when the Oilers outplayed and outshot our opponents but the opponent's goalie, and in some cases the posts, stole them a game, fans here said they would rather have a bad win than a moral victory, didn't they?

I also remember in some games we played great for 40 minutes but poorly for 20 minutes and lost the game, again they said they would rather have a win than a moral victory, didn't they?

Seems like the hockey god granted them their wish. Whether it is good goaltending or luck, we played for 20 minutes and come out with a win. No more moral victories but bad wins, isn't it what fans here wanted? And they are complaining? What should the hockey god do?

The article I want is a Willis breakdown of Yak's games lately. I don't know what's going on with him but the last two games he would have been better off stapled to the bench. I really hope he's just working through a bad flu or something. For that matter, I think Eberle has had the same flu for several months now.

OK sure but let us focus in on the biggest goat since Dubnyk left and the fact that Arcobello was mishandled by this organization.

I don't know about you guys, but whenever I have had a coach that thinks we are going to win because we are going to have better fitness, it always ends up as sad as this Oilers team.

All the focus is taken away from developing the right skillsets, the teamplay, the positioning etc. Fitness for fitness sake is useless. It needs to have a functional objective. I admit I do not watch their practices but I feel Eakins is one of those coaches. "We are getting outworked therefore we are not fit enough", which probably is not true. Why are we getting outworked? Functional strength? Body positioning? Poors kating technique? Those are more than just fitness.

I don't want to put all the blame on the coach either as the players should know what's missing in their toolbox but the coach has to help them figure out how to fix it.

I don't know about you guys, but whenever I have had a coach that thinks we are going to win because we are going to have better fitness, it always ends up as sad as this Oilers team.

All the focus is taken away from developing the right skillsets, the teamplay, the positioning etc. Fitness for fitness sake is useless. It needs to have a functional objective. I admit I do not watch their practices but I feel Eakins is one of those coaches. "We are getting outworked therefore we are not fit enough", which probably is not true. Why are we getting outworked? Functional strength? Body positioning? Poors kating technique? Those are more than just fitness.

I don't want to put all the blame on the coach either as the players should know what's missing in their toolbox but the coach has to help them figure out how to fix it.

Eakins entire philosophy to start the season was deeply flawed, from the fitness regime to the swarm. For players like Hemsky, Gagner, Eberle, Perron and RNH it's not just their fitness that limits their ability to play 22 to 25 minutes it's their physical strength as well.

You can have the best fitness in the world, however if you get thrown in the boxing ring, and get pounded on for 2 minutes you are going to get worn out. Of course this doesn't mean you are not in shape. Problem is I don't think Eakins understood this when he took over this team.

It will be interesting to see how high the ceiling is with Marincin. He was dangling the puck nicely last night and is now starting to show his offensive instincts. It is great that they have brought him along slowly. With his combination of size, skill, skating, and hockey sense, he may end up becoming a top pairing d-man that the team is sorely lacking.......

GREAT GAME MARK FRASER!!!! Please lock this gentleman up for at least 3 more years MACT! He is a perfect 5-6-7 D! He even scares me in the warm up! HE LOOKS TOUGH AND IS TOUGH AS NAILS!!!!!!!! GO MARK FRASER!!!!

Larson is a Karlsson type? He is lucky he is in the NHL. He's playing for a job next year, probably in the KHL.

Larsen reminds me of Grebeshkov. Not this year's Grebeshkov, but the one that was with this team 10 or so years back. Still can't figure out why we wasted that roster spot on Grebs when we had Larsen in the system...

Looking at that team - does anyone reading this think that either the coach or GM should keep his job?

Torts has put the team into full collapse. He has clearly failed and not changed his spots. He should be fired and I bet that is the near unanimous opinion of Canucks fans.

The GM hired torts to a four year contract. Dithered and dithered on his goalies and other players. Still with three years on his deal he too should be terminated.

Has Eakins done any better than torts? The teams play and record sure don't indicate that he has. Why shouldn't he be fired?

I really dislike two things in people - cockiness and incompetence.

Eakins is a cocky incompetent coach.

The Canucks are exactly were I expected them to be this off season. They no longer play in the easiest division in all of hockey, the Sedin's have lost a step and there drafting/development of young players has been horrible over Gillis' regime. Don't matter what coach they hired, this is where most expected them to be...

OK sure but let us focus in on the biggest goat since Dubnyk left and the fact that Arcobello was mishandled by this organization.

I believe Acro was sent down to OKC to help them compete for a playoff spot. OKC is very weak in offense and desperately needs offensive help.

I believe the only Oilers forwards that can be sent down there wihtout going thru waiver are Acro and Yak.

If I remember correctly, OKC was 13th in the west conference and 11 points out of playoff before Acro joined them. Now they are 9th and 2 points out (Milwaukee Admirals is 8th with 2 games in hand though).

I think what all those instances show is that we haven't had quality organizational management for a long time. It is no wonder that so few of oh. Prospects haven't turned out over the years. If you want change - you have to be willing to change.

The management, from the top on down, all the assistant coaches - all should have to be accountable for that.

Until last year, I have always been of the opinion that if the player is not in the big show, I really do not care to hear about them. Just recently have I started to pay attention to junior development and draft.

On draft day it is customary for teams interested in a player to interview said player to get a feel for fit, personality etc.

How hard would it be for a player to blow the interview, therefore making the interviewer feel that this player is not a good fit?

I have gassed more interviews then I care to admit, for positions that I was actually keen on getting.

For example if Ekblad said to the Oilers:
'Ya go ahead and draft me, but I promise you once my entry level contract is over, I will be moving along'

It will be interesting to see how high the ceiling is with Marincin. He was dangling the puck nicely last night and is now starting to show his offensive instincts. It is great that they have brought him along slowly. With his combination of size, skill, skating, and hockey sense, he may end up becoming a top pairing d-man that the team is sorely lacking.......

They didn't really bring him up slowly. They got him up as quick as they could. As to his ceiling well he could potentially end up being the best d-man in the system, with young d-man you just never know.